Based on next generation 1er platform
It is the compact segment that will experience high growth and by basing the car upon the next 1er platform costs can be measured across the base that is why the next 1er will offer more expansion in the premium compact segment and offer variants using Mild Hybrid , Full Hybrid , diesel and petrol to fulfill the customers requirements.
BMW need something like a hybrid roadster or coupe in this segment to show a complete 180 approach from the conventional choices customers are faced with regarding hybrids. They aresmall compact and conventional , overall they have and fullfill a purpose but the design or concept says nothing else but sensible. Offering a unconventional Sports car in place of a typical compact hybrid will allow BMW to promote an enticing new medium of what a hybrid can be when removed from the original question.
BMW are wanting to use the next 1er to expand it's range of small premium cars , BMW reckon there is demand for a small , substantial powered small sports car and also something unconventional is required for eco lifestyles , rather than conventional cars that are only about one purpose. The car will retain the typical BMW platform and drive train for front engine and rear wheel drive. The new 1er Platform is flexible to allow modular changes and switch from either front-rear drive or front or rear mounted engines. Maximum use of the 1er platform for the Z2 will relate to both a small Roadster and a Coupe.

Lightweight , dynamic and sporty
Using a high strength steel body ,door skins and front bonnet are aluminium , front wings and bootlid are composite materials.
Propshaft and Engine block manufacturerd from Magnesium.
Target weight for both Coupe and Roadster is 1000KG.

High efficient four cylinders engines
BMW will only offer the Z2 as a four cylinder , no six cylinder engine will be available to keep the car from entering the Z4's segment.
The base engine will be a 1.6 litre engine with twin turbo charging and direct injection , PS output will be in the region of 145-150 PS.
A second engine again a Twin-Turbo four cylinder unit will push out 200-204 PS , a 2.0 four cylinder Twin Turbo will top the range this engine will push out 240-250 PS , An M model is not considered , although a supersports model is certainly a possibility.

BMW eDrive full electric powered roadster
In it's quest to offer customers uncoventional choices to the growing popularity of hybrid concepts. BMW Has developed it's new roadster and Coupe to be fully compatible under it's "Project-i" strategy. BMW will offer a plug in Hybrid with a range extended engine for charging energy cells when the car is in motion. And a full electric version as seen in the first fruit of Project -i The MINI E.

Compact Soft-Top
With the latest Z4 receiving a folding hardtop. The roof of the BMW Z2 will remain as a conventional easy folding soft-top. No electric powered hood will be offered due to the easy fold and secure function of the Z2. The roof section folds in slats with rear window section folding flat and roof concertinaing into the hood compartment.
This allows for more trunk space. And expands the cars lightweight intentions.

BMW Active aerodynamics
GINA always had an intention even though the concept was ahead of it's time , Certain use of innovations learned from GINA are slowly filtering through to todays production cars - With several BMW models offering as part of technology developed for "Efficient Dynamics" opening and closing intakes in the grille slats. This provides optimised airflow and assists with Efficiency. As learned from the GINA The Z2 will feature front Movable front spoiler to provide extra down force and opening and closing intakes and Grille slats to provide cooling for the engine or battery.

BMW LED lighting Technology .
The Z2 Will feature the first phase in BMW's upcoming Intelligent LED technology. The front end appearance of the car is identified in a way that is similar to BMW's interior technology in which instruments are illuminted using a unique black panel technology.
The front of the Z2 with Intelligent LED technology is similar , all you see is the uniquely shaped kidney grille and larger driving lights, when the lights are activted the interpretation of the BMW double headlamps are fully illuminated.
The driving lamps feature is similar to the Rolls-Royce Phantom , but new technology being considered is a Zoom like feature that can focus on objects after being identified by either night vision or camera.

Coupe model as additional variant
To make maximum use of the 1er Platform, The Z2 will also introduce a compact Coupe model , again featuring the same tech as the Roadster including four cylinder engines and Hybrid and Electric models. BMW intend to make the Coupe a very sporty "back to basics performance model for two, again a SuperSports model is considered in place of an M model , with the option of a conventional roof , BMW can consider additional materials such as Carbon Fibre for the roof.

BMW Efficient Dynamics
Both models will feature the latest in BMW Efficient Dynamics technology such as Brake Energy Regeneration , highly efficient petrol engines with the base model offering up to 50-60 Mpg.
Stop-Start will also feature as well as a new transmission that is developed from technolgy from BMW's motorrad division as a unique Z2 feature.

If even half of this becomes a reality I will be a happy man!! Sounds like an enthusiasts dream car... the headlights seem very innoative if I am reading the description correctly. Bring on 2013 already!!

It sounds like BMW is trying to move into a solid enthusiast niche that was vacated by the S2000 and where theres room to take a hefty chunk of the now old miata sales. BMW would surely have a hit on its hands assuming the economics of the car can work out on BMWs end

It sounds like BMW is trying to move into a solid enthusiast niche that was vacated by the S2000 and where theres room to take a hefty chunk of the now old miata sales. BMW would surely have a hit on its hands assuming the economics of the car can work out on BMWs end

Thats the question. Where is BMW going to price this car.... the Z4 is just way to expensive for what it is!

If BMW made the Z2 priced the car in the mid 20s to start with and topping out at the high 30s I dont see why they wouldnt sell a boat load of these things. Im scared that they will have this car start in the mid to high 30s which is way too much for any car with a turbo 4 cylinder IMO

Full LED front headlights which will rest on a base that is transparent to the cars body so the headlights wont actually be very visible when the lights are off. But the traditional BMW headlight design appears when the lights are turned on at night. So no halogen headlamp unit like we have on cars today. There will be two rounded foglamps on the front similar to what is on the Rolls Royce Phantom so the car wont look totally headlight less during the day.

Thats the question. Where is BMW going to price this car.... the Z4 is just way to expensive for what it is!

If BMW made the Z2 priced the car in the mid 20s to start with and topping out at the high 30s I dont see why they wouldnt sell a boat load of these things. Im scared that they will have this car start in the mid to high 30s which is way too much for any car with a turbo 4 cylinder IMO

the z4 is not way to(o) expensive, it is one of the best looking BMWs to date. It will sell.

gimme 250hp and 2200 lb and it will be the best drivers car for many many years to come..
Getting to 2200lb will be tough, but if BMW will deliver, it will be instant classic car.. The handling and acceleration on that car (coupe) would be something to behold...

Wow, this would be amazing! I can't even imagine how good this will perform weighing 2,200 lbs... I wonder how that I-4 is going to be setup, and how it will look.. Imagine it after some aftermarket tuning..

gimme 250hp and 2200 lb and it will be the best drivers car for many many years to come..
Getting to 2200lb will be tough, but if BMW will deliver, it will be instant classic car.. The handling and acceleration on that car (coupe) would be something to behold...

if as stated they're shooting for 2200lbs. i assume that that would be for the base model w/ 1.6ltrs, smaller wheels/tires etc. if they achieve that then perhaps a couple hundred more for the top model is possible. that would still be a rocket but the 1.6ltr. at 2200lbs would be no slouch; in fact it would have power and torque to weight ratios at least as good as my 128.